a** 
tlis 


Come  to  Jesus! 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #915 

Dcmi3T5M  + 


COME    TO    JESUS! 


BY  NEWMAN  HALL,  B.  A. 


says,  "C< 
"Come." 


Listen,  dear  fcllovv-sinncr.  How  kind,  how  wonderful  an  m- 
vitatiou  Ls  this  !  God  speaks,  and  speaks  to  thee,  The  Father 
■  k."  The  Son  says,  "Come."  The  Holy  Spin! 
The  blessed  angels  echo  the  cry,  "Come."  Many 
poor  sinners  who  have  accepted  the  call,  join  their  voices  in  fee 
appeal,  atid  ss^y,  "Come  to  Jesus."  This  little  book  unites  in  (he 
entreaty,  poor,  sinner,  and  with  all  earnestness,  plainness,  and  af- 
fection, implores  tb.ee  to  "Come  to  jesus  " 

When  he  was  himself  on  earth,  well  kfiowing  and  full  of  pity 
for  the  sufferings  and  sins  of  men,  as  he  looked  round  on  the  crowd 
%hich  one  day  surrounded  him,  he  tenderly  said,  "Come  unto 
mc,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you 
rest."— Matt.  II  :  28-30.  What  he  said  then,  he  says  now.  The 
in  vital  ion  he  gave  to  the  men  of  that  day,  he  gives  to  thee,  my 
fellow-sinner  :  "Come  unto  me. "  Art  thou  not  heavy-laden  with 
guilt  ?  O  then  come  to  Jesus,  and  thou  shaltfind  rest.  Come  to 
jesus  ;     Come  to  jesus. 

COME  TO  JESUS. 
He  promises  rest.  Hut  far  better  than  rest  of  body  is  rest  of 
soul.  It  is  wretched  to  be  a  slave,  to  groan,  bleed,  toil  ;  but  far 
worse  to  be  Satan's  bondman  .dragging  about  an  evil  conscience  and 
an  aching  heart.  Rest  from  this  cannot  be  had  but  by  coming  to 
Jesus.  And  if  we  come,  he  will  lighten  every  other  load.  Are 
>ou  poor  ?  Come,  and  he  will  make  you  rich  forever.  Are  you 
sick?  Come,  and  he  will  cure  your  worst  disease.  Are  you  sad  ? 
Come,  and  he  will  wipe  away  your  tears.  Are  you  bereaved? 
Come,  and  he  will  be  your  brother  in  adversity,  who  changes  not, 
and  never  dies.  Is  sin  a  burden  ?  O  then  come  to  Jesus,  and  he 
will  take  it  all  away.  Do  you  dread  the  day  of  death  and  jndg- 
ment  ?  Come,  and  that  day  will  be  the  dawn  of  life  and  glory. — 
O  then  come.  To  be  merely  called  by  sitc/i  a  persoh  should  be 
enough  to  make  us  glad.  Of  a  stranger  we  might  say,  "Perhaps 
he  intends  me  no  good  ;"  of  a  poor  man,  "He  cannot  assist  me, 
however  willing;"  of  a  selfish  rich  man,  "Who  can  expect  aught 


from  him  ?"  But  if  a  Howard  or  a  Wilberfoicc  said  to  a  mourn- 
er. "Cokc,"  he  might  feel  quite  sure  some  kindness  was  intend* 
ed.  Now  He  who  invites  thee,  sinner,  is  both  able  and  willing 
to  help.  He  has  -clothes-  for  the  naked,  food  fdr  the  hungry, 
wealth  for  the  poor,  eternal  life  for  all.  His  very  word,  "Come,' * 
is  enough  to  make  thee  glad.  A  blind  beggar  by  the  way-side, 
bearing  he  was  passing,  cried  out,  "Mercy,  mercy  !"  The  peo- 
ple told  him  to  fee  quiet. ;  but  he  shouted  the  louder,  "Have  mer- 
cy on  me!"  Jesus  invited  him  ;  and  then  some  said,  as  though  he 
might  now  be  quite  sure  of  a  blessing,  "Be  of  good  comfort ;  rise 
he  calleth  thee."  They  knew  Jesus  never  called  and  then  refus- 
ed ",  and  so  they  told  him  to  rejoice.  Sinner, be  you  of  good  cheer; 
the  same  Jesus  called  thee*.  As  the  blind  man  threw  off  his  cloak 
lest  it  should  hinder  him,  do  you  cast  otf  every  sin  that  would  stop 
y0U — rush  through  every  crowd  of  difficulties,  and,  falling  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus,  say,  "Have  mercy  on  me !  I  am  blind,  I  am  lost  ; 
save,  or  I  perish"!"  Are  you  toogreat  a  sinner  ?  The  more  need 
to  come.  Have  you  a  guilty  conscience?  With  that  giMlty  con- 
science come.  Have  you  a  wicked  heart?  With  that  wicked 
heart  come.  Have  you  nothing  with  which  to  purchase  his  favor? 
"Without  money"  come.  Rich  and  poor,  masters  and  servants, 
old  end  young,  white  man  and  black,  sinners  of  every  class,  Com-e. 

"WHY  SHOULD  I  COME  ?"  YOU  ARE  A  SINNER  ;  COME 
FOR  PARDON. 

Perhaps  you  do  not  feel  you  are  a  sinner.  At  least  you  think 
you  are  no  worse  than  others,  but  better  than  many.  You  are 
no  drunkard,  thief,  adulterer,  but  keep  the  Sabbath,  read  the 
Bible,  and  attend  the  house  of  God.  But  have  you  indeed  obeyed  all 
the  commandments?  Never  broken  any  of  them?  Always  been  true, 
chaste,  sober,  honest,  forgiving,  kind  ?  Never  indulged  in  pride, 
rnalace,  anger,  deceit,  or  lust  ?  God  requires  purity  of  heart  as 
well  as  of  outward  conduct,  and  he  knows  all  our  thoughts. — 
Have  youthen  never  cherished  the  thought  of  sin  in  your  heart-, 
though  you  have  feared  outwardly  to  commit  it?  Besides,  the 
first  and  chief  command  is  to  love  the  Lord  our  God  with  all  our 
mind  and  strength.  Have  you  always  done  this;  always  been 
thankful  for  his  mercies,  always  carefully  read  his  word  in  order 
to  obey  it,  always  tfied  to  please  him,  loved  to  pray  to  him,  taken 
delight  in  his  day,  his  people,  his  worship,  always  striven  to  be 
"  holy  as  he  is  holy,"  to  make  known  his  truth,  to  induce  others 
to  love  him,  aniendeavored  in  all  things  to  glorify  him?  If  you 
have  always  dorle  this,  you  have  %till  only  just  done  your  duty, 
and  have  nothing  to  boast  of.  But  you  have  not  done  it.  Consci- 
ence tells  you  so.  You  know  you  have  sinned  thousands  of  times. 
You  know  you  have  sought  your  wown  pleasure,  and  in  your  best 
actions  you  have  not  been  prompted   by  a  desire  to  please  God. 


• 

You  have  lived  for  yourself;  you  have  sought  man's  approval, 
but  Godhas  uotbeea  in  all  your  thoughts,  The  Bible  talis  us, 
"  If  a  man  say  he  hath  no  sic,  he  dacaivetn  himseif.  Tttera  is 
none  righteous,  no,  not  one.  All  have  sinned)  aaJ  com 
the  glory  of  God."  O,  my  fellow-sinner,  is  it  not. true  of  thee, 
"  Tne  God  in  vvbose  hand  thy  breatn  is,  and  wnose  are  ail  thy 
ways,  thou  hast  not  glorified?  You  are  a  sinner.  Guilt,  enor- 
mous guilt,  hangs  upjn  you.  In  God's  D30i  all  your  sins  are 
written  down.  You  cannot  get  rid  of  them.  Were  you  to  labor 
for  thousandsof  years,  you  couid  not  atone  for  the  least.  All  you 
could  do  would  only  be  your  duty.  Paying  to-day's  debt  still 
leaves  yesterday's  where  it  was.  And  were  you  to  give,  ail  you 
possess,  or  sutfer  torture  and  death,  it  wou/d  not  take  away  sin. 
The  past  cannot  be  recalled.  But  there  is  forgiveness,  free,  full, 
eternal,  for  the  guilty.  Jesus  has  pardon  for  thee,  sinner,  pur- 
chased with  his  own  Dlood.  Come  for  it  Corns  to  Jesus  Christ  for 
it. 

GOD  IS  ANGRY— COME  TO  BE  RECONCILED. 
The  Bible  says,  "  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day  • 
He  IrnteUi  all  workers  of  iniquity,"  And  has  not  God  much 
cause  to  be  angry  with  thee,  sinner  ?  He  gava  and  preserves  your 
lifeand  faculties,  and  bestows  all  your  comforts.  Yet  you  forget 
him.  He  has  told  you  his  commands  ;  and  these  are  all  intended 
todoyougooi,yetyou  do  notregard  them.  You  do  not  reverence 
God,  but  Jive  almost  as  if  there  was  no  such  Being.  Wnat  an  un- 
grateful son  would  you  be  if  thus  you  treated  your  parents — if  you 
avoided  their  company,  disliked  to  think  of  them,  and  disregarded 
their  wishes!  Hear  then  what  God  says:  "Hear,  O  heavens, 
and  be  astonished,  O  earth  !  I  have  nourished  and  brought  up 
children,  and  they  have  rebelled  against  me.  "  He  is  full  of  love 
to  you,  as  a  tender  Father  ;  but. by  _your  sins  you  have  griered 
him.  Besides,  he  is  your  Creator,  King,  and  righteous  Judge,  and 
must  and  will  punish  ail  sinners.  He  must  act,  to  those  who  re- 
bel, not  as  a  kind  parent,  but  as  an  angry  monarch.  It  is  your 
own  fault,  however,  that  he  is  angry.  You  may  make  him  so. 
Your  sins  separate  between  you  and  God.  As  iong  as  you  live 
without  repenting  of  sin,  his  anger  must  ever  be  hot  against  you, 
sinner,  and  you  cannot  escape  or  hide  from  him.'  Wherever  you 
are,  he  is  there,  and  he  is  ahor?.  He  "oouapasses  your  path  and 
your  lying  down,"  and  he  is  angry.  It  depends  oo  him  whether  or 
not  you  draw  your  very  next  breath,  and  he  is  a.vgrv,  0  a. 
better  for  all  the  world  to  be  angry  with  thee  than  God.  Wnat 
an  awful  life  is  yours  !  The  "wrath  of  God  abideth  oa  you." 
How  dreadful  to  feel  when  going  to  bed,  "  God  is  angry"— to 
awake  and  know  "  God  is  angry" — wherever  you  go,  and  what- 
ever you  do,  "  God  is  angry."  And  O,  to  die  knowing  that  "God 
is  angry  •"  and  to  stand  before  his  judgment-seat,  and  see  that  he. 


is  angry.  Sinner,  he  is  angry  only  while  you  make  him  so  ;  he  is 
willing  to  be  your  friend  ;  he  sent  his  Son  with  this  message.  "  Be 
ye  reconciled  to  God. "  If  you  will  give  your  heart  to  that  Mes- 
senger, and  trust  in  him,  all  this  anger  will  cease.  O  then,  come 
to  Jesus.  Be  no  longer  .God's  foe,  but  accept  the  offer  to  be  his 
friend.  But  beware,  beware  of  rejecting  Jesus  ;  for  he  says,  "He 
that  believeth  not,"  that  is,  does  not  come  to  "the  Son,  shall  not 
see  iife,'but  the  wrath  op  god  abideth  on  him." 

HELL  AWAITS  YOU— COME  TO  BE  SAVED. 
Hell  is  not  a  fable,  invented  by  priests  to  frighten  their  fellow- 
men  ;but  as  sure  as  the  Bible  is  the  word  of  God,  so  sure  is  it  that 
")he  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  nations  that  forget 
God."  "It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  todie,  but  after  this  the 
judgment."  Then  all  men  must  give  an  account  of  "the  deeds 
done  in  the  body."  God  will  judge  the  secrets  of  men.  Then  aN 
sinners  who  have  not  obtained  pardon  by  coming  to  Jesus  will  be 
on  the  left  hand  of  the  Judge,  who  will  pronounce  their  dcqpdfjil 
sentence,  "Depart,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for 
the  devil  and  his  angels."  O  who  can  tell  the  torments  to  that 
place  ?  No  more  pleasant  light  of  day,  no  more  cheerful  voice  of 
friends,  no  more  comforts  of  home,  no  more  pleasures  of  the 
world  and  sin.  The  rich  man  can  take  none  of  his  wealth  with 
him,  the  gay  man  none  of  his  amusements.  Conscience  will  dart 
its  sting  ;'past  sins  will  be  clearly  remembered,  and  past  opport- 
unities of  escape  now  gone  forever.  O  that  one  of  them  might 
come  back  !  O  for  one  more  Sabbath  !  O  for  one  more  hour  to 
pray  for  mercy  !  But  it  will  be  then  too  late,  too  late.  Darkness 
for  ever,  sin  for  ever,  woe  for  ever,  death  forever.  Jesus  speaks 
of  it  as  the  lake  that  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone— outer-dark- 
ness, where  there  is  weeping,  and  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth 
— where  the  worm  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched— where 
the  wicked  rich  man  being  in  torments,  cried  out,  Send  Lazarus, 
that  he  may  dip  the  tip  of  his  finger  in  water,  and  cool  my  tongue, 
for  I  am  tormented  in  this  flame.  There  he  that  is  filthy  shall  he 
filthy  still,  and  the  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  for  ever 
and  ever.  What  misery  can  be  greater  than  what  such  words  as 
these  describe  ?  How  dreadful  then,  to  be  in  hell!  What  more 
horrible  ?  And  every  unfoggiven  sinner  is  on  his  way  to  it  Tow, 
whose  eye  now  reads  this  page,  if  you  are  not  pardoned,  you  are 
on  your  way.  Every  hour  brings  you  nearer.  Once  there, "and  all 
hope  is  gone  for  ever.  But  is  there  no  escape?  Yes  :  one  way, 
and  one  only.  Flee  to  Jesus.  He  came  to  save  from  hell.  God 
so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  who- 
soever believeth  in,  con*eth  to,  him  should  not  perSh,  but  have 
everlasting  life.  Nothing  can  save  you,  if  you  will  not  come; 
nothing  can  prevent  your^salvation,  if  you  do  come. 


5 

FOR  PEACE  OF  CONSCIENCE,  COME. 

"  There  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked."  Some 
sinners  seem  to  be  at  peace,  but  it  is  only  by  refusing  to  think. 
They  will  not  consider.  But  such  thoughtlessness  is  not  wor- 
thy to  be  called  peace.  It  is  like  a  man  in  a  sinking  ship,  who 
will  not  examine  what  is  the  danger  ;  or  like  a  tradesman,  .who 
fancies  all  is  not  going  on  well,  but  will  not  look  into  his  ac- 
counts, lest  his  mind  should  be  disturbed.  So  the  sinner  fan- 
cies something  is  wrong,  and,  fearing  to  be  made  unhappy,  he 
banishes  reflection  about  God  and  his  soul.  Yet  every  sinner 
thinks  sometimes,  and  then  he  must  be  wretched.  When  death 
visits  a  neighbor's  house,  or  enters  his  own,  or  threatens  him- 
self, and  at  many  other  times,  the  thought  will  come,  "God  is 
angry ;  my  soul  is  in  danger  ;  I  am  not  fit  to  die."  And  how 
must  such  a  thought  damp  his  pleasures,  and  disturb  his  repose. 

No,  you  cannot  be  at  peace  till  you  have  obtained  pardon. 
You  may  try  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world  in  turn  ;  you  may 
seek  to  drown  thought  by  plunging  deeper  and  deeper  into  sin, 
but  you  cannot  be  happy.  But  when  we  come  to  Jesus,  all 
our  sins  are  at  once  forgiven.  We  still  think  of  them  with 
sorrow,  but  we  need  no  more  think  of  them  with  terror.  God 
says  to  us.  "  Your  sins  and  your  iniquities  will  I  remember  no 
more."  He  blots  out "  all  tresspasses."  He  "casts  them  be- 
hind his  back — into  the  depths  of  the  sea."  They  will  not  be 
mentioned  at  the  judgment  day.  "  He  will  abundantly  pardon." 
He  now  regards  us  with  love.  We  need  not  be  afraid  of  him* 
He  invites  us  to  trust  him  as  a  kind  friend.  Instead  of  hidiiflf 
from,  him,  as  Adam  did,  we  may  hide  in  him,  as  David  did, 
saying, "  Thou  art  my  hiding  place."  0  what  a  happy  change ! 
I  am  a  sinner  still,  but  a  sinner  pardoned,  reconciled,  saved. 
And  whatever  dreadful  things  conscience  may  tell  me.  Jesus 
says,  "  Thy  sins  are'  forgiven  thee,  go  in  peace."  "  Peace  I 
leave  with  you,  my  peace  I  give  unto  you."  Being.  Justified 
by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God,  through  <our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Poor  sinner,  you  and  peace  have  long  been  strangers. 
Worldly  pleasure  is  not  peace ;  and  nothing  can  give  it  while 
you  and  God  are  enemies,  and  your  sins  hang- heavily  on  your 
soul.  Come  then  to  Jesus.  e^e  both  makes  and  gives  peace. 
Seek  pardon  through  him,  andtyou  will  soon  know  what  is 
meant  by  "  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding." 


FOR  A  NEW  HEART—COME. 

"  Ye. must  be  born  again,"  said  Christ  to  Nicodemus.  There 
must  be  a  great  change  in  your  thoughts  and  feoliugs  respect- 
ing God,  before  we  are  able  to  serve  him  on  earth  and  enjoy 
him  in  heaven.  Sin  has  estranged  our  minds  from  God,  so 
that  we  do  not  desire  him  and  love  him.  True  religion  is  not 
pleasant  to  us.  This  is  being  "  carnally  minded,  which  is 
death."  To  love  the  things  which  sin  makes  distasteful  is  a 
great  change,  like  coming  to  life.  It  is  called  the  new  birth, 
or  regeneration.  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a 
man  be  born"  again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  Un- 
converted sinner,  how  can  you  expect  to. enter  heaven?  Von 
would  not  be  happy  there.  A  swollow  enjoys  the  air',  and  a 
cow  the  meadows,  but  a  fish  would  soon  languish  there  and 
die :  there  must  be  adaptation.  Music  charms  those  alone  who 
have  an  ear  for  it ;  books  are  no  treat  to  those  who  dislike 
reading  ;  and  society  is  only  pleasant  when  it  is  congenial. 
A  clown  would  not  feel  at  ease  at  court,  the  ignoraut  cannot 
enjoy  the  company  of  the  learned,  the  profligate  do  not  love 
the  society  of  the  virtuous ;  and  just  so  the  ungodly  cannot 
take  pleasure  in  religion.  Is  not  the  Sabbath  to  yon  a 
dull  day,  the  Bible  a  dry  book,  religious  conversation  un- 
pleasant, prayer  a  task,  and  the  company  of  the  pious  irksome  ? 
But  heaven  is  all  Sabbath,  all  worship,  all'  holiness — its  in- 
habitants ail  righteous  ;  and  their  talk  and  actions  all  have 
^reference  to  God.  Heaven  is  happy  because  it  is  holy,  and  be- 
cause God  is  there-  But  if  you  do  not  love  holiness  and  God, 
it  would  not  be  a  happy  place  for  you.  You  would  wander 
about  a  miserable,  solitary  thing,  damping  the  enjoyment  you 
could  not  share,  and  polluting  the  temple  in  which  you  alone 
would  be  unable  to  worship.  Therefore,  unless  born  again,  you 
never  will  enter.  You  cannot,  I  know,  change  your  own  heart, 
but  the.  Spirit  of  God  can.  And  Jesus  died  to  obtain  for  us 
the  gift  of  the  Spirit.  And  this  gift  is  freely  bestowed  on  all 
who  sincerely  apply  to  the  Saviour-  for  it.  0  then  earnestly 
pray  for  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  you  may  be  born  again.  Come 
to  Jesus  with  the  petition  of  David,  "Create  in  m»  a  cleau 
heart,  0  God,  and  renew  a  r/.'llt  spirit  within,  me."  And  for 
•  your  encouragement,  think  oFthe  gracious  assurance  of  Christ, 
"  IX  ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto  your 
children ;  how  muoh  more  shall  your  Father,  which  is  in 
heaven,  give  the  Holy  Spirit  tp  them  that  ask  him  ?,; 


FORTHEPRIVILEGESANDJOYSOF  ADOPTION,  COME. 
Persons  of  wealth  sometimes  take  the  children  of  tfle  poor, 
and  train  them  as  their  own  :  this  is#called  adoption.  And  thus 
God  describes  the  treatment  of  those  who  come  to  Jesus.  '  Ye 
shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  God  Almighty.' 
1  We  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry 
Abba  Father.'  We  are  permitted,  in  prayer,  to  address  God 
as  '  our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven/  He  loves  tjjose  adopt- 
ed children  with  more  than  an  earthly  parent's  affection.  He 
teaches,  watches  over,  comforts,  feeds,  protects  them.  Sorrows 
are  his  kind  chastisements,  intended  for  their  benefit.  '  If 
ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons ;  for 
whom  the  Lord  loveth,  he  chasteneth.'  In  all  their  trials  he 
consoles  them.  '  Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the 
Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him.'  '  As  one  whom  his  mother 
comforteth,  so  will  I  comfort  you/  Sickness,  poverty,  be- 
reavement, all  their  troubles  are  overruled  for  their  advantage. 
'  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  'them  that  love  God.7 
'  They  shall  not  want  any  good  thing.'  'No  weapon  formed 
against  them  shall  prosper."  In  every  difficulty  and  danger 
their  Father  is  at  their  side.  '  Fear  not ;  for  I  have  redeem- 
ed thee.  I  have  called  thee  by  thy  name;  thou  art  mine. 
When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  ; 
and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee.'  :  I  will 
never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee."  They  may  tell  their  Father 
all  their  wants.  'In  everything  make  known  your  requests 
unto  God.'  His  ear  is  ever  open  to  their  cry,  and  his  hand 
ever  outstretched  to  do  them  good'  As  a  father,  he  provides 
for  them  an  inheritance  '  but,  unlike  those  of  earth,  it  is  'in- 
corruptible, undefiled  and  fadeth  not  away.'  Oh  what  happi- 
ness to  be  a  child  of  God;  to  feel  'God  is  my  Father!  He 
loves  me,  pities,  pardons,  keeps  me.  I  am  safe  from  all  evil. 
Wicked  men  and  wicked  spirits  cannot  harm  me.  God  is  my 
refuge,  ever  near ;  and  he  never  slumbers,  never  is  weary, 
never  forgets,  and  will  never  change.  He  say6,  '  I  have 
loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love.'  He  will  be  always  near 
me  while  on  my  journey  here,  and  at  las't  will  take  me  to 
dwell  with  him  in  his  palace  for  ever.'  What  earthly  great- 
ness can  equal  thfe?  Reader,  would  you  be  a  child  of  God  V 
You  may,  if  you  come  to  Jesus;  for  *  as  many  a^  received/ 
came  to,  '  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  become  the  sons  of 
God." 


•       THAT  YOU  MAY  ENTER  HEAVEN— COME. 

As  there  is  a  place  of  punishment  for  the  wicked,  so  there 
is  a  heaven  of  glory  for  all  who  come  to  Jesus.  God,  in  his 
great  love  to  sinners,  sent  his  Son  not  only  to  deliver  them 
from  hell,  but  to  make  them  happy  and  glorious  with  him  for 
ever.  When  a  believer  dies,  though  his  body  decays,  his  soul 
is  at  once  with  Jesus,  which  is  '  far  better/  How  delightful 
.is  the  description  the  Bible  gives  of  heaven.  We  are  told 
that  sickness,  sorrow,  and  death  never  enter  there ;  that  cares, 
fears,  and  anxieties  are  never  felt  there  ;  that  poverty,  priva- 
tion, unkindness,  and  disappointment  are  never  known  there. 
The  body  that  will  rise  from  the  grave  will  be  '  incorruptible/ 
and  will  never  experience  pain,  weariness,  or  decay.  Old  age 
will  never  enfeeble,  for  there  will  be  perpetual  youth ;  and 
death  will  never  snatch  away  those  we  love,  for  death  itself 
will  be  destroyed.  What  is  still  better,  there  will  be  no  more 
sin,  but  all  hearts  will  be  full  of  holy  love  to  God,  and  to  one 
another.  Every  one  will  rejoice  in  the  society  and  happiness 
of  every  one  else,  and  God  himself  will  dwell  among  them. 
All  the  good  men  of  former  ages  will  be  there — the  martyrs, 
and  apostles,  and  prophets.  There,  too,  we  shall  meet  with 
,  angels  and  archangels  ;  and  more  than  all,  we  shall  behold 
Jesus  in  his  glorified  human  body— we  shall  see  his  face,  and 
ever  be  with  the  Lord.  To  show  how  glorious  heaven  is,  it 
is  compared  to  a  city  with  streets  of  gold,  gates  of  pearl,  and 
walls  of  jasper  and  emerald ;  to  a  paradise  with  a  river  clear 
as  crystal,  and  the  tree  of  life  with  healing  leaves ;  to  a  place 
of  rest  after  labor ;  to  a  father's  house,  a  happy,  happy  home. 
'  They  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing 
shall  flee  away.  Everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon  their  heads. 
In  his  presence  is  fullness  of  joy,  aud  at  his  right  hand  are 
pleasures  for  evermore/  The  best  joys  of  earth  are  soon  gone. 
Riches  fly,  health  decays,  friends-  depart,  death  is  written  on 
i^ll  things.  Bu£  the  joys  of  heaven  are  for  ever,  and  for  ever. 
Header,  this  heaven  may  be  thine.  Jesus  keeps  the  door, 
but  he  has  opened  it  wide  for  all  sinners  to  enter.  If  you  will 
not  come  to  Jesus,you  cannot  enterheaven  ;  for  he  is  the  door, 
the  only  door.  But  he  invites  you  to  come.  Yes,however  guilty 
and  vile  you  are,  heaven  may,  and  certainly  will  be  yours,  if 
you  come  to  Jesus.  '  To  you  is  the  word  of  this  salvation 
sent/    0  then,  for  heavenly  bliss,  come  to  Jesus. 


WHO  IS  JESUS? 

This  is  a  most  important  inquiry,  because  no  one  can  rightly 
comply  with  the  invitation,  c  Come  to  Jesus/  without  a  correct 
knowledge  of  who  he  is.     Much  depends  on  the  answer  we 
give  to  the  question,  '  What  think  ye  of  Christ?7 
.1  ESUS  IS  GOD. 

Before  he  appeared  on  earth,  he  had  from  eternity  possessed 
all  the  perfections  of  Deity.  As  the  Father  is  God,  so  also 
Jesus  is  God.  This  is  a  great  mystery,  bat  it  is  a  great  truth. 
The  Bible  clearly  declares  it.  He  is  called  '  The  Word  ;'  and 
St.  John  tells  us.  '  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the 
Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  All  things 
were  made  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not  anything  made 
that  was  made/  And,  '  The  Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt 
anions;  us.'  Speaking  of  himself,  Jesus  said,  '  Before  Abraham 
v,;is.  r  am.'  He  referred  to  the  'glory  which  he  had  with  the 
Father  before  the  world  began  ;'  and  declared,  '  I  and  the  Fath- 
er are  one.'  We  are  told  that  he  is  '  the  brightness  of  the  Fath- 
er's glory,'  'the  image  of  the  invisible  God,'  '  God  manifest  in 
the  flesh  ;'  that  '  he  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-dayf&nd  for  ever  ;' 
and  that '  in  him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily.' 

Jesus,  therefore  is  God  ;  and  is  perfect  in  power,  and  wis- 
dom and  goodness.  There  is  nothing  hecannot  «lo;  and  as  he 
never  can  change,  he  will  never  be  unfaithful  to  his  promises. 
Now,  poor  sinner,  this  is  just  slich  a  Saviour  as  you  want.  If 
you  needed  a  protector  from  some  great  danger,  you  would  go 
to  some  one  who  was  mighty.  Who  so  mighty  as  Jesus? 
All  that  God  can  do,  he  can  do.  There  are  no  difficulties, 
dangers,  or  foes  he  is  unable  to  conquer  for  you.  Whatever 
your  weakness,  his  strength  must  be  all-sufficient.  It  is  not 
some  frail  fellow-man,  it  is  not  even  an  angel  you  are  to  trust 
in.  It  is  one  infinitely  higher  than  all  created  beings — even 
the  great  God,  mighty  to  save.  We  should  have  cause  to  fear 
if  any  one  inferior  were  our  Saviour.  But  we  may  feel  quite 
safe  when  he  undertakes  to  sq,ve,  who  is  the  Lord  of  heaven 
and  earth.  Who  can  harm  us,  if  he  promises  to  help  us  ?  '  If 
God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?  His  power,  wisdom, 
holiness,  and  goodness  are  all  employed  on  our  behalf,  as  soon 
as  we  come  to  Jesus.  With  such  a  Savior  we  cannot  perish. 
"He  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost." 


10  '  • 

JESUS  [S  MAN. 

This  is  as  true  as  that  he  is  God.  "God  so  loved  the  world 
that  he  sent  his  only  begotten  Son."  And  Jesus,  though  "equal 
with  God,"  "took  upon  nira  the  form  of  a  servant, find  was  made 
in  the  likeness  of  mm,  and  was  found  in  fashion  as  a  man.1' 
fie  was  predicted  as  "  a  man  of  sorrows,"  and  frequently 
styled  himself"  the  Son  of  wan."  '.He  became  man  in  order 
to  obey  the  law  we  had  broken,  and  to  suffer  the  punishment 
we  had  merited.  Because  no  one  can  see  God,  he  lived  among 
us  as  a  man,  that  from  his  spirit  and  conduct  we  might 'have 
a  clearer  idea  of  what  God  is.  Thus  he  said  ;  "  He  that  hath- 
seen  me,  Jiath  seen  the  Father."  And  he  became  a  man  that, 
suffering  what  we  suffer,  we  might  feel  sure  that  he  can  sym- 
pathize with  us.  Thus  we  read,  "  In  that  he  himself  hath 
.suffered,  being  tempted,  he  is  able  to  succor  them  that  are 
tempted  ;"  "and,  "  We  have  not  a  high-priest  which  cannot  be 
touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  but  was  in  all  points 
tempted  like  as  we  are." 

Think,  then,  of  Jesus  as  a  man.  Yonder  is  a  funeral.  It  is 
a  widow's  o*iy  son,  and  she  follows  the  corpse  with  a  broken 
heart.  Who  is  the  man  that  sees  her  afar  off,  pities -her,  goes 
up  to  the  dead  body,  restores  it  to  life,  and  delivers  the  son  to 
his  mother?  That  loving  but  mighty  man  is  Jesus.  Who  is 
this  standing  amid  a  crowd  of  little  children,  and  taking  them 
so  kindly  in  his  arms  to  bless  them  ?  It  is  Jesus.  Who  is  that 
mourner  weeping  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus  ?  It  is  Jesus.  Who 
is  it  that  all  the  sick,and  the  poor,and  the  sorrowful  run  after 
and  who  heals  and  comforts  them  all,  refusing  none  ?  It  is  Je- 
sus. He  is  still  the  same  ;  a  loving,  tender,compassionate  mar,. 
You  need  not  be  afraid  of  him  ;  he  is  a  man,  your  brother.  It 
is  he  who  says  to  you,  "  Come  unto  me."  Listen  to  him, sin- 
ner. He  is  the  mighty  God,  and  able  to  save  you;  but  he  is 
also  "  the  man  of  sorrows,"  and  full  of  sympathy  and  love. 
He  knows,  feels,  and  pities  all  your  weakness,  and  frailties, 
and  fears.  He  bids  you  not  to  be  afraid.  As  a  brother-man 
he  stands  with  looks  of  unutterable  kindness,and  says,  "Come 
unjto  rae  ;  come  unto  me."  0  treat  not  with  indifference  so 
loving  a  Friend.  Listen  to  him.  Let  Vour  heart  bo  touched 
by  his  tenderness.  Trust  in  his  promises.  Come  to  Jesus 
at  once*:  Rely  on  him  as  your  Saviour,  and  obey  him  as  your 
King,  and  he  will  be  to  you  the  "  Friend  that  stick eth  closer 
than  a  brother." 


11 

HE  IS  THE  SAVIOUR  OF  SIN  NEKS. 
"  This  is  a  faithful  saying  and  worthy  of  acceptation,  that 
Jesus  Christ  came  iuto  the  world  to  save  sinners.,'  "  Him  hath 
God  exaultd  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour."  This  alone  brought 
him  to  our  wicked  world.  And  how  does  he  save?  By  stand- 
ing in  our  place,  and  bearing  the  punishment  we  merited.  "We 
have  broken  the  law,  but  he  has  perfectly  kept  it;  for  he  "was 
holy,  harmless,  undented,  separate  from  sinners."  We  deserv- 
ed death  for  our  sins.  "The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die." — 
But  he  died  for  us.  "  He  gave  his  life  a  ransom  for  many." — 
We  were  nnder  the  curse.  "  Cursed  is  every  one  who  continu- 
ed not  in  all  things^vritten  in  the  book  of  the  ltw  to  do  them." 
But  "  he  was  made  a  curse  for  us."  lie  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  wan  bruised  for  our  iniquities ;  and  by  his 
stripes  we  are  healed."  "He  bear  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on 
the  tree."  This  is  why  he  became  a  man,  was  "  despised  and 
rejected,  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief,"  He 
''carried  our  sorrows."  This  is  why  he  suffered  temptation, 
groaned  in  Gethsemane,  in  his  agony  sweat  great  drops  of  blood, 
was  scourged,  spit  upon,  crowned  with  thorns,  and  nailed  upon 
the  cross.  "He  gave  his  life  a  ransom  for* many."  "We  were 
slaves — he  came  to  set  us  free.  But  the  price  he  paid  was  his 
own  blood.  "Redeemed  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ. " 
We  were  prisoners  of  the  bar,  condemned  to  die ;  but  he  left  hie 
Father's  throne,  and  came  and  stood  at  our  side,  saying,  "  I  will 
die  for  them,  that  they  may  be  forgiven  and  live  forever."  And 
now  that  he  has  returned  to  his  glory  in  heaven,  he  lives  to  save 
us.  He  watches  over  us,  speaks  to  us  by  his  word  and  by  his 
Spirit,  listens  to  our  prayers,  advocates  our  cause,  helps  us  in  our 
weakness,  and  "ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for,  us."  He 
thus  saves  us  both  by  his  death%nd  his  life.  He  has  p"aid  all  our 
debts,  and  is  ready  to  supply  all  our  wants.  He  saves  those  who 
trust  in  him  from  the  sting  of  death,  and  delivers  them  from  con- 
demnation at  the  judgment-day.  We  must  appear  before  the 
Judge  as  guilty  sinners  ;  b*it  if  we  can  use  this  plea,  "  I  trust  in 
Jesus,  who  died,  for  me,"  he  will  at  once  declare  us  fully  acqut- 
ted,  pardoned,  saved.  He  says  to  thee,  reader,  "  Poor  sinner, 
thou  art  in  danger  of  hell ;  but  I  have  brought  thee  a  free  par- 
don, purchased  with  my  own  blood,  I  died  for  thee  I  am  able 
to  save  thee.     Come  unto  me." 


12 

i 

HE  IS  THE  ONLY  SAVIOUR. 
Jesus  said,  "I  am  the  way  :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father 
but  by  me."  We  can  only  obtain  pardon  from  God  by  coming 
to  Jesus  for  it.  All  God's  mercy  for  sinners  has  been  placed  in 
the  hand  of  Christ,  and  no  one  can  obtain  it  but  from  him.  Some 
who  neglect  Jesus,  yet  hope  in  God's  mercy.  But  if  they  reject 
Jesus,  they  reject  the  mercy.  To  them  God  will  only  be  an  angry 
Judge,  "a  consuming  fire."  Our  own  good  works  cannot  save 
us.  Our  best  acts  are  sinful ;  and  if  they  were  perfect,  they 
could  not  atone  for  the  past.  St.  Paul  says,  "By  the  works  of 
the  law  shall  no  flesh  living  be  justified."  If  we  could  have  en- 
tered heaven  by  our  own  merits,  why  should  Christ  have  died  ? 
We  could  have  saved  ourselves.  0  trust  not  in  your  own  works, 
your  good  character,  your  honesty  and  charity — nothing  but 
the  righteousness  and  death  of  Jesus  can  save.  Some  think  be- 
cause they  have  been  baptized  and  taken  the  sacrament,  because 
they  read  their  Bible,  keep  the  Sabbath,  and  go  to  church,  they 
will  be  saved.  Multitudes  have  done  all  this,  yet,  never  having 
come  to  Jesus,  are  now  in  hell.  No  sacrament,  ceremony,  creed, 
or  church  can  save.  None  but  Jesus  can.  Some  rely  on  their 
priest.  Sad  mistake.  Poor  man,  he  needs  a  Saviour  for  himself. 
He  cannot  save  his  own  soul,  much  less  yours.  None  but  Jesus 
can  give  absolution.  His  blood  alone  cleanseth  from  sin.  Some 
pray  to  saints,  angels,  and.  the  Virgin  Mary ;  but  who  can  tell 
whether  they  can  listen  to  any  who  address  them?  and  if  they  , 
could,  can  they  save  the  soul?  The  Bible  tells  us  plainly, 
"  There  is  one  mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ 
Jesus."  "Neither  is  there  salvation  [n  any  other;  for  there/  is 
none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we  • 
must  be  saved."  Look  then  to  no  one  else.  Trust  only  in  Jesus. 
He  is  seated' on  a  throne  of  mercy?  and  invites  all  poor  sinners  to 
come  at  once  close  up  to  him.  He  alone  has  pardon  to  give. 
Why  then  stop  to  talk  to  fellow-sinners,  or  even  angels,  when 
no  being  can  help  you  but  Jesus.  You  need  no  one  to  introduce 
you  to  him.  The  beggar  and  the  prince,  the  black  man  and  the 
white,  the  ignorant  and  the  learned,  those  clothed  in  rags  and 
those  in  silk  attire,  are  equally  welcome.  All  arc  invited.  You 
sin  by  looking  any  where  else  for  help.  He  says,  "  Look  unto 
me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth."  Look  away  from 
men,  away  from  yourself;  look  only  to  Jesus,  for  he  alone  can 
save. 


13 

HE  IS  A  LOVING  .SAVIOUR. 
There  could  be  no  stronger  proof  of  this  than  his  coming 
from  heaven  to   suffer   and  to   die.     His  own   words   were, 
"Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a  man   lay   down 
his  life  for  his  friends."     Why  did  he  leave  a  holy  heaven  for 
a  sinful  world ;  the  songs  of  angels  for  the  temptatiens  of  devils  ; 
a  throne  of  glory  for  a  cross  of  agony?     It  was  love,  only  love. 
Love,  not  to  friends,  but  to  foes.     "While  we  were  yet  sinners, 
Christ  died  for  us."  •  He  showed  his  tender  love  in  a  thousand 
ways  when  on  earth,  going  about   doing  good,  healing  all 
manner  of  sickness,  never  turning  from  the  poor  and  the  sad, 
always  the  "  Friend  of  Sinners."    How  he  wept  over  Jerusalem, 
as  he  thought  of  her  sins  and  approaching  sufferings.     When  ■ 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  how  kindly  he  spoke  to  the  penitent 
thief  at  his  side;  and  how  earnestly  hf  prayed  for  his  mocking 
murderers;  "Father,  forgive  them  : Jor  they  know  not  what 
they  do."     He  might  easily  have  called   forth   an   army   of 
angels  to  deliver  him  ;  but  if  he  had  not  died,  we  could  not 
have  been  saved :  and  t  before,  because  he  loved  us,  he  drank 
the  bitter  cup  to  its  very  dregs.     Now  that  he  has  risen  again, 
his  love  to  sinners  is  as  great  as  ever.     Love  prompts  him  to 
intercede  -for  us,  to  pity  us,  to  send  his  Spirit  to  help  us,   to 
wait  to  be  gracious,  and  save  us.     He  loves  you;  he  died  for 
you  ;  he  looks  down  with  pity  on  you;  he  calls  you  to  come  to 
hi  in.     His  love  has  spared  you   till  now,  though   you  have 
rejected  him.     His  love  bears  with  your  sins,   and  again   at 
this  moment  entreats  Jou  to  accept  a  pardon   purchased    by 
his  blood.     If  some  friend  had  spent  his  fortune  to  deliver  you 
from  prison,  or  risked  his  life  to  save  yours,  could  you  treat 
him  with  neglect?     But  Jesus  has  done  far  more.     He   died 
to  redeem  you  from  eternal  woe,  and  make  you  happy  for  ever 
in  heaven.     He  comes  to  you,  and  showing  the  marks  of  his 
wounds,  he  says,  "See  how  I  loved  thee,  sinner.     Hove  thee 
still.     Come  unto  me,  that  I  may  save   thee  from  sin   and 
from  hell."     0  reject  pot  so  gracious  a  Saviour.     Trample  not 
under  foot  such  wonderful  love.     You  will  never  meet  with 
such  another  friend.     Trust  him.     Love  him.     You  will  al- 
ways rind  him  fall  of  pity  and  tenderness^    'He  will  comfort, 
guide,  protect  and  save  you  amUPall  the  dangers  and  sorrows 
of  lifes,  deliver  you  from  the  sting  of  death,   and  then   make 
you  lmppy  for  ever  in  heaven.    0  come  to  this  loving  Saviour. 


e 


14 

HE  WrLL  BE  OUR  JUDGE. 
"  We  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ"  * 
The  man  of  sorrows  will  come  again  as  the  God  of  glory,  and 
"  before  him  will   be  gathered  .  all  nations/'     "Behold,   he 
cometh  with  clouds;  and  every  eye  shall  see  him,   and  they 
also  who  pierced  him/'     How  encouraging  to  believers.     He 
is  the  very  person  they  would  have  chosen   for  themselves  ; 
and  when  they   see  him  on  the  throne,  they  will  rejoice,  for 
their  best  Friend,  who  has  promised  to  save  them,  will  be 
their  Judge,  and  therefore  they  will  feel  secure.     But  bow 
dreadful  for  those  who  have  rejected  him.     How  terrible  his 
look  of  reproach  to  those  who   pierce  him  by  their  sinful 
neglect.     How  dreadful  to  hear  the  voice   which   now  says, 
"Come  unto  me,"   say   "Depart,   ye  cursed."    Suppose  a 
irifoner  is  soon  to  be  tried  for  a  crime  forwhich  he  will  loose 
3is  life.     He  is  visited  by  a  man  of  humble  appearance,  but 
great  kindness,  whose  heart  seems  to  flow  over  with  pity  for 
the  prisoner.     He  has  been  laboring  very  hard   fGr  the  cul- 
prit^ escape  at  the  trial.     He  tells  him  .what  he  has  done, 
and  proves  that  he  may  be  safely  trusted.     He  assures  him 
that  he  is  quite  able  to  secure  his  acquittal  or  his  pardon,  if 
only  the  prisoner  is  willing  he  should  do  so.     He  says,    "I 
pray  -you,  let  me  come  forward  at  the  trial,  and  speak   oil 
your  behalf;  let  me  plead  your  cause.     I  have  saved  many  a 
prisoner  whose  case  was  as  bad  as  yours;  I  can  save  you.     1 
ask  no  payment.     Love  alone  prompts  me.    Consent  to  let 
me  help  you."     But  the  prisoner  is  reading,  talking,  or  sleep- 
ing, and  takes  no  notice  of  this  friend.     He  comes  again  and 
again  ;  but  the  prisoner  dislikes  his  visits,  and  by  his  actions 
asks  him  not  to  disturb   him.     The  trial  comes   on.     The 
prisoner  is  brought  into  Court.     He  looks  at  th*c  judge  in  his 
robes  of  office,  and  sees  he  is  the  despised  friend  who  came  to 
him  in  his  cell.     But  now  his  countenance  is  solemn,  and  his 
voice  severe.     He  who  was  refused  as  a  friend   now  appears 
only  as  a  Judge.     Sinner,  He  who,  as  Judge,  will  occupy  the 
throne  at  the  last  day,  comes  to  thee  in  thy  prison,  and. offers 
to  be  thy  Saviour.     He  is   willing   to  plead   thy   cause,   and 
promises  thee  a  free  and  full  deliverance  at  the  trial.     Refuse 
him  not.  for  soon  you  must  stand  at  his  bar.     Trust  in  him  as 
your  Advocate,  if  you  would  not  tremble  before -him  as  your 
Judge.     Accept  his  invitation,  if  you  would   not  hear  him 
pronounce  your  doom.  Welcome  him  now  to  your  heart, that 
may  welcome  you  then  to  hie  kingdom. 


WHERE  IS  JESUS? 
It  waB  the  language  of  Job,  "  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might, 
find  him,' that  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat  \"     Is  this  thy  lan- 
guage, poor  sinner  ?     Art  thou  anxious  to  know  where  to  find 
Jesus  ?     He  is  no  longer  on  earth  in  human  form,  but  has  re- 
turned to  heaven.     There  you   may   find   him,  seated   on  a 
throne  of  mercy r  waiting  to  give  eternal  life  to  all  who  come 
to  him,— You  may  think  it  far  to  go,  but  the  prayers  of  sin- 
ners reach  heaven  the  very  moment  they  are  uttered,  and  are 
listened  to  by  Jesus  with  kind  attention.     Yet:  if  this  seems 
hard  to  understand,  know  assuredly  that  Jesus  is  not  only  in 
heaven,  but  on  earth  too.     He  is  God,  and   therefore  is  every- 
where.     He  said  to  his  disciples,  "I  am  with  you  ahvavs." 
He  is  constantly  present  among  us.     In   the   e  ck   chamber, 
there  is  Jesus,  ready  to  comfort  the  afflicted  disciple  who  lies 
on  that  bed  of  pain.     In  the  secret  spot  to  which    the  sinner 
has  retired  to  confess  his  sins,  there  is  Jesus,   waiting  to  say, 
"Be  of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  are  forgiven  tfcee;  go  in  pea^e." 
In  the  church  or  the  room  where  many  or  few  have  a?sembied 
to  praiae  and  pray,   there  is  Jesus,   waiting   to   supply 
wants.     "  Wheresoever  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in 
my  name,- there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them."     Reader,  he  is 
near  to  thee.     Now,  while  thine  eye  reads  this  page,  he  stands 
close  at  thy  side.     He  whispers  in  thine  ear.     Ee^. 
to  seek  him.     Ifanxious  to  find  him,  thou  hast  no  longjourney 
to  take,  no  long  time  to  wait  before  thy  request  can  re*ch  his 
ear.     He  is  ne&er  than  the  friend  sitting  beside  thee,  for  he 
is  at  thy  heart's  door,  knocking  for  entrance.     Wherever  thou 
goest  he  follows  thee,  his  hands  laden  with  blessing?,  which 
he  offers  to  thee  freely.     He  compasses  thy  path<  and  thy  lying 
down  ;  but  it  is  always  to  do  thee  good.     In  the   morning   he 
stands  at  thy  bedside,  offering  to  clothe  thee  with   his  white 
robe  of  righteousness;  and  when  thou  art  seated  at  the  table, 
he  asks  thee  to  eat  that  bread  of  life  which  will  ?avethy  soul 
from  death.     He  is  so  near  that  he  will   n«otice  thy  first  faint 
effort  to  come  to  him,  and  will  stretch  out  his  .hand  to  help 
thee.     He  is  so  near  that  he  will  see  thy  first  tear  of  penitence, 
and  catch  thy  first  sigh  for  pardon.     He  is  so  near  that  before 
you  call  he  will  answer,  and  while  you  are  yet  speaking  he 
will  hear.    Sinner,  wherever  you  are  there  is  Je6us.     So  that 
in  all  countries,  under  all  cjreumstances.  by  day  and  by  night, 
at  home  and  abroad,  vou  may  come  to  Jesus. 


"WHAT  IS  MEANT  BY  COMING  TO  JESUS?" 
"  Mucn  is  said  of  coming  to  Jesus,  but  how  can  I  come  ?  He 
is  in  heaven,  and  how  can  I  go  there  to  speak  to  him  ?  I  am 
told  he  is  also  everywhere,  but  I  cannot  see  him,  and  how  then 
can  I  go  to  him?  If  he  were  but  on  earth,  as  he  once  was, 
there  is  no  trouble  I  would  not  take.  1  would  sell  all  I  possess 
to  pay  for  my  journey  ;  I  would  travel  hundreds  of  miles.  No 
difficulties  should  daunt  me.  I  would  set  off  at  once.  I'would 
go  to  him,  and  push  my  way  through  the  crowd,as  the  sick 
used  to  do,  -in  order  to  be  healed.  I  would  fall  down 
before  him,  and  lay  hold  of  his  garment,  or  embrace  his  feet; 
and  I  would  say,  "Lord  Jesus,  save  me.  I  come  not 
to  be  healed  of  blindness,  or  lameness,  or  leprosy,  but 
of  sin.  My  heart  is  diseased  with  iniquity.  I  am  in  danger 
of  God's  wrath,  and  of  eternal  damnation.  Lord,  save  me,  I 
perish/  But,  alas,  Jesus  is  no  longer  among  us,  and  I  cannot 
understand  what  is  meant  by  coming  to  him."  Dear  reader, 
do  all  this  in  thy  kfiart,  and  then  you  will  come  to  Jesus.  What 
do  you  think  would  be  the  advantage,  of  going  to  him,  and  fall- 
ing before  him,  and  holding  his  garment  and  speaking  to* him 
as  thesick  and  the  lame  used  to  do  ?  Would  itnot  be  to  let  him 
know  your  wants ?  These  he  knows  already.  Without  all  this 
trouble,  you  can  make  him  understand  that  you  wish  him  to 
save  you.  Think  of  him,  let  your  heart  feel  respecting  him,  and 
let  your  cries  ascend  to  him,  just  as  if  you  saw  him.  Be  as 
earnest  as  if  there  was  a  crowd  round  him,  which  you  wished 
to  push  through.  Call  to  him  as  that  blind  9nan  did,  who, 
though  he  saw  him  not,  cried  out  "  Jesus,  thou  son  of  David, 
have  mercy  on  me ! "  You  are  better  oft"  than  they  who  lived 
when  he  dwelt  on  earth.  They  had  often  tojourney  far.  They 
sometimescbuhlnotgetnearhim  for  the  press  of  people.  Buti/o'u 
mayhavehim  as  much  to  yourself  asif  there  were  no  other  sinner 
thatneededhim.  He  is  always  near  and  within  call;  and  though 
you  cannot  see  him,  he  sees  you,  knows  all  you  feel,  and  hears 
all  you  say.'  Coming  to  Jesus  is  the  desire  of  the  heart  after  him. 
It  is  tojfeel  our  sin  and  misery ;  to  believe  that  h  e  is  able  and  will- 
ing to  pardon,  comfort  and  save  us  ;  to  ask  him  to  help  us,  and  to 
trust  in  him  as  our  Friend.  To  have  just  the  same  feelings  and 
desires  as  if  he  were  visibly  present,  and  we  came  and  implored 
him  to  bless  ijis,  is  to  come  to  him,  though  we  do  not  see  his  face 
nor  hear  his  voice.  Repenting  sinner,  your  very  desire  for  par- 
don, vour  prayer  "  Jesus,  save  me  n — this  is  coming  to  him. 


COME  BY  PRAYER. 
Though  you  cannot  see  Jesus,  you  can  speak  to  him.  You 
can  pray.  God  has  permitted,  and  even  commanded  us  to  do 
this.  How  great  a  privilege  to  be  allowed  to  speak  to  God. 
"Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble."  "  Watch  and  pray." 
"Pray  without  ceasing."  Prayer  requires  no  fine,  well-arrang- 
ed sentences.  The  simplest  utterance  of  your  heart's  desire  is 
prayer.  Those  desires  themselves,  unbreathed,  are  prayer. 
You  need  not  wait  until' you  can  enter  a  church  to  pray  ;  you 
may  pray  everywhere.  And  Jesus  is  always  waiting  for  the 
prayers  of  poor  sinners ;  60  that  not  one  ever  escapes  his  notice. 
His  ear  is  always  open.  It  is  difficult  to  speak  to  kings  and 
princes;  they  can  only  be  seen  sometimes,  and  then  only  a  few 
persons  are  permitted  to  come  nearthem.  But  all  may  come  with 
their  petitions  to  Jesus,  however  poor  and  despised,  and  at  all 
•  timestoo.  Whatever  good  things  you  want  for  the  soul,  pray.  For 
pardon,  for  a  new  heart,  for  faith,  for  holiness,  for  comfort,  pray. 
You  cannot  pray  in  vain.  *  You  may  be  sure  of  such  prayers  be- 
ing answered.  There  are  some  things  which  even  God  cannot 
do.  He  cannot  sin,  and  he  cannot  refu  c  to  lis'tcn  to  a  poor  sin- 
ner's prayer,  for  he  has  promised.  kl  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given 
you, "  said  Jesus;  and  his  word  declares,  "  He  cannot  deny 
himself."  Be  then  encouraged  to  pray.  However  vile  and  help- 
less you  think  you  are,  you  are  not  too  bad  to  pray.  Pray,  if 
you  can  only  utter  such  a  petition  as  this,  "Save,  Lord,  or  I 
perish."  Make  a  habit  of  prayer.  Find  someplace  where  you 
can  be  alone.  "  When  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and 
shut  the  door."  Rise  before  the  work  of  the  day  begins,  that 
you  may  have  time  to  pray.  Lay  open  your  heart  before  God. 
Tell  him  how  vile,  and  helpless,  and  wretched  you  are.  Con- 
fess your  sins,  and  cry  for  pardon.  Read  the  Bible,  and  ask 
for  that  holiness  which  is  commended  there.  Say,  "  Lord,  I  am 
ignorant,  teach  me.  My  heart  is  hard,  soften  it  Convertme  by 
thy  Holy  Spirit.  Help  me  to  come  to  Jesus — to  believe,  love, 
and  obey  him.  Save  me  h$>m  sin,  and  fit  me  for  heaven."  And 
let  your  heart  throughout  the  day  oftend  ascend  to  God,  even 
while  engaged  in  your  necessary  labor.  "  Pray  without  ceas- 
ing." If  the  answer  does  not  seem  to  come  at  once,  pray  on, 
and  success  is  certain.  A  praying  soul  can  never  be  lost.  You 
cannot  perish  while  you  are  sincerely  calling  upon  Jesus,  say- 
ing, "  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me  a  sinner." 


IS 

COME  IN  THE  BOLDNESS  OF  PfcAYER. 
It  is  wonderful  that  creatures  so  sinful  as  we  are  should  be 
allowed  to  pray  at  all.  When  we  consider  what  we  are,  and 
what  God  is,  we  may  well  tremble  when  we  come  to  him,  and 
fear  lest  he  should  reject  us.  But  he  has  encouraged  us  to  come, 
even  with  ''boldness,  to  the  throne  of  grace."  "This  does  not 
mean  that  we  are  to  come  without  deep  reverence  and  humility, 
but  that  we  are  to  pray  with  a  full  persuasion  that  God  will  an- 
swer us.  There  are  many  examples  of  answers  to  prayer.  He- 
zekiah  prayed,  and  the  army  of  Sennacherib  was  smitten  with 
death*  Elijah  prayed,  and  fire  came  down  to  consume  his  sa- 
crifice. The  apostles  prayed,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  descended 
on  them  with  miraculous  gifts.  The  church  prayed,  and  Peter 
was  delivered  from  prison  by  an  angel.  We  are  not  to  expect 
that  all  we  ask  for  respecting  this  life  will  be  given  us,  for  we 
often  desire  what  would  do  us  harm.  We  may  be  sure,  how-* 
ever,  that  God  will  give  us  what  is  best.  But  when  we  prav 
for  blessings  for  our  souls — for  pardon,  and  holiness,  and  sal- 
vation— we  may  be  quite  certain  of  being  answered',  for  we  are 
told,  that  if  we  ask  any  thing  according  to  God's  will,  he 
heareth  us  ;  and  We  are  also  told,  that  God  is  "  willing  that  all 
men  should  be  saved."  Jesus  said, "  Ask,  and  itshallbe  given  ; " 
and,  "  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name*  that  will  I  do." 
He  prays  for  us.  CJur  best  prayers  are  far  too  unworthy  for 
God  to  notice,  but  he  listens  because  Jesus  pleads.  If  you 
wrote  a  petition  to  a  king,  but  none  'in  the  palace  knew  you, 
and  you  were  dressed  in  rags,  and  after  doing  your  best,  the 
Writing-was  cbvered  with  blots,  would  you  not  fear  that  you 
would  never  be  admitted,  or  if  you  were,  that  the  petition 
would  not  be  read  ?  But  suppose  the  king's  son  were  to  come, 
and  say,  'I  will  present  your  petition  myself,  and  ask  my 
father  to  grant  it."  Jesus  does  this.  He  presents  our  feeble 
prayers,  and  says,  M  For  ray  sake,  bless  this  poor  sinner,  and 

frant  his  request."  And  we  are  told  that  "  him  the  Father 
eareth  aho&ys."  "  He  ever  livetjj*  to  make  intercession." 
Trembling,  mourning  sinner,  rejoice.  You  have  a  Friend  at 
court  However  unworthy  your  petitions  are,  Jesus  prays  for 
you,  and  his  prayers  always  prevail.  What  more  can  you 
need  to  encourage  you?  Come  then  with  "boldness  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  you  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to 
help  in  time  of  need," 


19 

COME  IN  FAITH. 
In  the  New  Testament  we  read  very  much  about  faith.     We 
are  said  to  be  "justified  by  faith,  "  and  "saved  by  faith,  "  and 
are  told  to  "  believe  in  the  Lord  Jasus  Christ,  that  we  may  be 
saved.     Faith  is  confidence,  reliance.     If  I  am  hungry,  and  a 
kind^ friend  offers  me  something  and  says  it  is  bread,  but  it  is 
dark,  and  f  cannot  see,  yet,  if  I  begin  at  once  to  eat  it,  this  is 
faith.     I  trust  in  his  word.     If  I  am  sick,  and  medicine  is  given 
me  which  I  am  told  will  do  me  good,  and  I  drink  it,  this  is  faith. 
I  believe  or  have  confidence  in  the  doctor's  skill     Jesus  came 
into  the  world  to  die  for  sinners.     He  says,  "  Believe  in  me.     I 
have  purchased  a  full  pardon  for  you,  and  you  may  go  free.    It 
cost  my  own  blood  to  obtain  it,  but  you  are  freely  welcome  to  it. 
If  you  will  obey  my  words,  and  trust  in  my  protection,  I  will 
engage  to  save  you  from  death  and  hell :     I  am  quite  able  to  do 
this.     Here  is  bread  to  eat,  which  will  make  you  live  for  ever  if 
you  eat  it :  here  is  a  medicine  which  will  so  cure  your  soul's 
sickness  that  you  shall  never  die.     Come  unto  me — believe  in 
me,  and  you  shall  be  saved."     Faith  is  just  trusting  to  what  Je- 
suti  Bays.     Faith  is  simply  coming  to  Jesus.     He  has  died  for 
thee.     Believe  it,  and  take  the  benefit  of  his  dying.     He  has 
tipened  the  prison  door  for  thee.     Believe  it,  and  make  thine 
escape.     He  is  willing  to  bear  thy  burden  for  thee.     Believe 
it,  and  cast  thy  sins  upon  him.     He  has  paid  all  thy  debts. 
Rejoice.     He  brings  salvation  to  thee,  and  says,  "It  shall  be 
thine,  if  thou  art  willing."    Stretch  forth  thy  hand,  and  take 
it  with  a  grateful  heart.     Like  the  prodigal  in   the  parable, 
thou  hast  wandered  far  from  home;  but   Jesus  has  obtained 
for  thee  permission  to  return.     Thy   father,  for  his  sake,  is 
willing  to  welcome  thee  back.     Believe  it.  and  say,  "  I  will 
arise,  and  go  to  my  Father."     You  desire  to  be  trusted  by  your 
husband,  or  wife,  or  children  ;  you  would  feel  hurt  by  their 
doubting  your  word.     So  Jesus  wishes  to  be  believed  when  he 
says,  "  Poor  sinner,  I  am  able  and  willing  to  save  thee.     Come 
unto  me."     Do  not  grieve  him  by   distrusting   his   word.     If 
you  do  not  come,  because  you  think  you  are  too  great  a  sin- 
ner, you  say,  in  effect,  that  he  is  not  able  to  save  you,  though 
he  tells  us  "  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  who  come." 
You  make  him  a  liar.     Believe  that  he  really  will  do  what  he 

Eromifies.    Go  to  him  at  once.     Say  to  him,  *'  Lord,  I  believe  ; 
elp  thou  mine  unbelief.    Thou  art  able  to  save  to  the  utter- 
most— save  mL" 


20 

COME  AS  A  SINNER—JUST  AS  YOU  ARE.  ' 
Feriiaps  yousay,  u  How  can  I,  who  am  so  vile  a  sinner,  ven- 
ture to  come  near  the'holy  Jesus  ?  Will  he  permit  such  ?i  wretch 
to  approach  him?     Must  I  not  wait  till  I  am  more  fit?  "     Dear 
fellow-sinner,  your  very  sinfulness  is  your  best  fitness.     What 
you  think  to  be  a  hinderance  is  your  best  encouragement;  for 
"  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners, "  and  there- 
fore to  save  such  as  you.    "  I  came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but 
sinners  to  repentance."    Not  that  there  are  any  who  are  really 
righteous,  but  there  are  many  who   think  themselves  so,  and 
such  persons  will  never  be  received  by  Christ.     We  must  come 
to  him  in  our  true  character,  if  we  come  at  all.     We  are  great 
sinners.    We  have  broken  God's  laws.     We  have  indulged  in 
wickedness  in  our  hearts,  as  well  as  in  open  conduct ;  we  have 
quenched  the  Spirit,  and  despised  the  love  of  Jesus.   Everything 
we  do  is  full  of  imperfection .     We  cannot  make  ourselves  pure. 
And  if  we  come  to  Jesus  pretending  we  are  righteous,  we  only 
mock  him.     Instead  of  thinking  we  are  "rich,  and  increased 
in  goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing, ;;  we  must  come  as.  those  • 
who  are  "  poor,  and  miserable,  and  blind,  and  naked,"     Thus 
we  must  come  to  Jesus,  and  confess  our  unworthiness.     In  one 
of  his  .parables  he  spoke  of  a  self-righteous  man,  who  thanked 
God  that  he  was  better  than  others  ;  and  of  a  broken-hearted 
penitent,  who  did  not  venture  to  raise  his  eyes  to  heaven,  but 
smote  upon  his  breast,  saying,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ger ! w     It  was  the  latter  who  went  home  pardoned  and  saved. 
And  if  we  Would  be  accepted  by  Jesus,  roe  must  go  to  him  in 
the  same  spirit,  saying,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner!  *' 
And  we  must  not  wait,  thinking  that  we  shall  ever  be  more 
worthy.     No,  our  souls  arc  stained  through  and  through  with 
sin,  and  all  our  washing  will  never  get  rid  of  one  dark  spot. 
The  blood  of  Christ  alone  can  make  us  clean.     We  can  never 
make  ourselves  better.     We  must  come  to  Jesus  to  make  us 
better;  and  till  then  nothing  is  done.     Our  very  first  duty  is 
to  come  to  Jesus.     Come  then,  poor  sinner.     Wait  not  another 
moment,   foolishly   thinking  you  will  be  more  fit  by  and  by. 
You  will  never  be  more  fit,  and  never  more  welcome,  than  at 
'  this  moment.     Jesus  knows,  far  better  than  even  you  do,  how 
sinful  and  vile  you  are  ;  yet  he  does  not  say,  "  Wait,  P   but 
"Come."     Come  then,  with  all  your  sins  and'  weakness,  and 
hardness  of  heart,  come  to  Jesus.    Come  as  a  signer,  and  come 
just  as  you  are. 


21 

"BUT  I  AM  NOT  WORTHY,  AND  (3ANNOT  COME 
ARIGHT/' 
If  you  imagine  that  any  sinner  is  worthy  of  salvation,  you 
quite  mistake  the  nature  of  the  Gospel.  It  is  a  free  gift,  not  a 
reward.  No  one  is  worthy.  Paul,  Peter,  John,  were  not  wor- 
thy. But  Jesus  is  so  full  of  love  that,  unworthy  as  we  all  are, 
he  invites  us  to  come.  If  he  makes  our  sin  no  objection,  why 
should  we  ?  .Jesus  knows  that  filthy  rags  cover  you,  that  a 
nauseous  disease  infects  you  ;  yet  he  says,  "  Come  unto  me." 
On  account  of  these  very  things,  he  says,  Come.  -How  unrea- 
sonable, then,  for  you  to  refuse  because  you  are  unworthy.-  You 
might  as  well  say  you  were  too  hungry  to  eat,  or  too  poor  to  re- 
ceive health,  as  that  you  are  too  unworthy  to  come  for  pardon. 
Your  very  unworthiness  makes  you  welcome.  But  you  say  you 
cannot  come  as  you  ought.  Then  come  as  you  can.  Jesus 
did  not  say,  "  Come  unto  me  running,  or  walking  upright, "  but 
simply,  "  Come."  Come  in  any  manner,  and  you  will  be  re- 
ceived. Come  creeping,  crawling — anyway — only  come.  You 
say  you  do  not  repent  enough.  You  never  will ;  for  penitence, 
like  all  other  graces,  is  evergrowing,  and  no  one's  penitence  can 
equal  his  sins.  But  we  are  not  saved  because  we  repent  enough, 
but,  if  we  do  repent  at  all,  we  are  saved  because  Jesus  died. 
You  say  you  have  not  love  enough.  You  nev^er  will  have,  till 
you  get  to  heaven.  But  we  are  saved,  not  because  we  love  God, 
but  because  he  loves  us.  You  say  you  have  not  faith  enough. 
True,  and  every  Christian  needs  to  pray,  '*  Lord,  increase  my 
faith."  But  if  you  truly  look  to  Jesus  for  salvation,  this  is  faith  ; 
and,  though  very  weak,  none  who  possess  it  can  perish.  But 
perhaps  you  say  your  heart  is  totally  hard,  and  therefore  that 
your  mere  cries  of  distress  are  not  prayers  which  God  can  ac- 
cept. Be  encouraged  by  the  case  of  Simon  Magus.  His  "  heart 
was  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God ;  "  he  was  "  in  the  gall  of  bit- 
terness and  in  the  bond  of  iniquity  ;  "  yet  Peter  said,  "  Pray 
God,  if  perhaps  the  thought  of  thy  heart  may  be  forgiven  thee ;" 
which  means,  "  If  you  indeed  pray  to  God,  your  sin  will  be  for- 
given." Your  condition  cannot  be  worse  than  his  ;  yet  he  was 
encouraged  to  come  to  Jesus.  Come  with  a  broken  heart,  that 
he  may  heal  it ;  or  as  Leighton  says,  *  If  thou  find  it  unbroken, 
yet  give  it  him,  with  a  desire  that  it  may  be  broken."  How- 
ever unable  to  come  aright,  make  the  effort :  come  as  you  can, 
only  come;  and  Jesus  will  not,  cannot  reject  you. 


"BUT  I  FEAR  I  AM  NOT  ONE  OF  THE  ELECT." 
You  have  no  cause  for  this  fear  but  your  own  fancy.  Has 
God,  or  an  angel,  or  the  Bible  told  you  so  ?  Election,  whatever 
it  means,  is  God's  work,  not  yours.  Do  not  perplex  yourself 
with  his  secret  counsels,  but  attend  to  your  own  plain  duties. 
'.'  Secret  things  belong  unto  God;  but  those  which  are  revealed 
belong  unto  us,  that  we  may  do  all  the  words  of  this  law."  We 
must  leave  the  sacret  things,  and  attend  to  the  revealed.  Our 
duty  is  to  do  according  to  God's  law.  And. this  law  is  most 
clear.  You  are  no  where  told  you  are  not  elect ;  but  you  are 
told  that  Jesus  died  for  you,  and  you  are  invited  to  come  to  him. 
Vex  your  mind,  then,  no  longer  about  such  difficult  subjects  as 
election,  but  promptly  obey  what  &pd  commands.  He  says, 
"  Cast  away  from  you  all  your  transgressions,  and  make  you  a 
new  heart, and  anew  spirit.  Turn  ye  from  your  evil  ways.  Ke* 
pent  and  believe  the  gospel.  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  thou  shalt  be  saved.  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you ;  seek, 
and  he  shall  find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened.  Draw  nigh  to 
God,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you.  Him  that  cometh  unto  ine 
I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  Do  what  God  says,  and  your  salva- 
tion will  be^sure.  Suppose  you  were  very  poor,  and  a  rich  man 
were  to  announce  that  he  would  give  a  pound  to  a  hundred 
persons  whose  names  no  one  knew  but  himself,  but  at  the 
same  time  promised  that  he  would  give  it  to  every  one  who 
applied  for  it  $  would  you  say,  "  I  am  afraid  I  am  not  among 
the  favored  number,  therefore  I  will,  not  ask  for  the  money?" 
No :  you  would  rather  say,  "  Whether  I  am  among  the  hundred 
or  not,  every  one  is  invited,  and  therefore  I  will  go."  Do  the 
same  respecting  eternal  life.  Do  not  sit  still,  teasing  yourself 
with  useless  enquiries  whether  your  name  is  in  God's  book. 
Are  you  a  sinner  ?  "  Oh  yes/'  Well,  then  you  are  invited  ; 
for  "  Jesus  came  to  save  sinners,  "  and  "  he  is  the  propitiation 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  The  invitation  is  universal. 
"  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely."  Jesus 
said  not,  •'  Come  unto  me,  ye  whose  names  are  in  the  book  of 
life,"  but,  "Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden."  Are  you  heavy  laden  with  sin  ?  Then  come  to  Jesus, 
and  your  salvation  is  certain.  Come  to  Jesus,  and  then  you 
may  be  sure  your  name  will  be  found  in  the  book  of  life.  Come 
to  Jesus,  and  you  will  be  received  as  one  of  the  elect;  but  if 
you  stay  away,  you  will  perish. 


«  BUT  T  HA^E  NO  FATTH." 
11 1  do  not  feel  my  sins  forgiven,  and  am  not  sure  I  am  saved. 
Many  say«they  know  the  time  when  they  found  salvation,  aud 
that  they  nave  an  inward  witness  that  all  is  right  with  them. 
They  have  found  peace;  but  I  have  not.  1  am  full  of  doubts 
and  fears,  have  no  faith,  and  therefore  fear  Jesus  will  never  re- 
ceive me."  My  friend,  you  confound  two  things  which  greatly 
differ,  faith  and  assurance.  You  have  been  speaking  of  assvr- 
iuice,  not  of  faith.  It  is  very  delightful  to  feel  sure  of  pardon  and 
heaven  ;  but  it  is  quite  possible  not  to  feel  this,  and  yet  to  pos- 
sess faith.  Faith  is  coming  to  Jesus  as  a  poor  sinner,  and  trust- 
ing in  him  alone  for  salvation.  Assurance  is  feeling  certain  wp 
are  saved.  They  are  quite  different  things.  Faith  is  necessary 
for  salvation,  but  assurance  is  not.  Many  people  possess  an  as- 
surance which  is  false,  while  they  are  destitute  of  faith;  and 
many  also  have  true  faith,  but  do  not  enjoy  assurance.  Suppose 
you  were  shipwrecked,  and  clinging  to  a  part  of  the  vessel  over 
which  the  waves  were  furiously  breaking.  A  life-boat  comes 
out  to  3-011.  It  is  so  well  built  that  it  cannot  possibly  sink.  The 
rowers' are  so  skillful  that  they  never  failed  to  bring  it  safe  to 
shore.  They  invite  you  to  enter.  You  know  that  the  vessel 
you  cling  to  will  soon  he  dashed  to  pieces.  You  believe  the  boat 
will  take  you  safeTto  shore.  You  enter  it*  But  when  the  hu^e 
waves  toss  it  up  and  down,  and  seem  about  to  overwhelm  it, 
vou  are  afraid,  and  perhaps  do  not  loose  your  fear  till\ou  reach 
the  shore.  Getting  into  the  boat  was  faith— being  afraid  while 
in  it  was  the  want  of  assurance.  But,  though  frightened,  you 
were  as  safe  as  the  rowers  who  had  no  fears.  Your  terror  did 
not  endanger  your  safety,  though  it  destroyed  your  peace.  We 
are  in  a  storm.  Our  sins  have  raised  up  the  winds  and  waves  of 
divine  justice.  The  law  thundens  its  curses  against,  us.  Hell 
yawns  below.  Jesus  is  like  thelifeboat.  He  comes  out  to  us, 
and  invites  us  to  forsake  all  our  own  refuges,  which  areas  frail 
as  a  sinking  wreck,  and  to  cast  ourselves  oh  him.  Trusting  in 
him  alone  is  faith,  though  when  you  think  of  your  sins  and  in- 
firmities you  may  be  full  of  doubts  and  fears,  and  often  think 
you  are  not  safe.  •  Take  encouragement,  then,  trembling  be- 
liever. Do  you  feel  yourself  lost  without  Jesus;  and  is  it  your 
earnest  prayer,  "  Save,  Lord,  or  I  perish  ?  "  Then,  whatever 
your  gloomy  doubts,  you  do  possess  failk,  saving  faith — that 
faith  of  which  Paul  spoke  when  he  said,  "Believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  sbalt  be  saved,"  None  can  perish  who 
thus  come  to  Jesus. 


7E  WHO'  ARE  YOUNG,  COME. 
Youtufjil  reader,  be  persuaded  to  give  your  early  years  to 
God.  There  is  a  special  promise  f6r  you,  ' '  Those  wko  seek  me 
early  shall  find  me."  Perhaps  you  think,  "1  am  too  young  to 
be  religious  yet;  let  me  enjoy  the  world  a  little ;  I  have  plenty 
of  time  before  me."  Too  young  to  be  religious  ?  But  you  are 
not  too  young  to  sin,  nor  too  young  to  die,  nor  too  young  to  be 
cast  jnto  hell.  You  may  not  live  to  reach  manhood,  much  less 
"old  age.  Multitudes  die  as  young  as  you.  •  If  you  enter  a  buri- 
al-ground, how  many  of  the  graves  are  those  of  young  people. 
Death  may  be  even  now  preparing  to  strike  you.  Oh  th en  come 
at  once  to  Jesus.  You  greatly  err,  if  you  think  religion  will  • 
make  you  gloomy.  -It  alon  e  can  render  you  truly  happy.  Many 
young  people  have  tried  it,  who  will  ^11  tell  you  that  the  plea- 
sures of  piety  are  better  than  all  the  delights  ol  sin  and  van- 
ity .^  You  will  find  that  this  is  true,  if  you  come  to  Jesus.  Is 
it  likely  he  will  let  his  followers  be  less  happy  than  theservants  ' 
of  the  world  ?  Besides,  how  can  you  dare  to  live  a  day  longer 
rejecting  him  ?  He  commands  us  at  once  to  believe  and  obey 
him.  Every  day  we  put  off  repentence  we  commit  a  fresh  act 
of  rebellion,  and  treasure  up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath. 
You  say  you  will  repent  when  you  arc  old.#  But  we  need  the 
Spirit  of  God  to  help  us  to  repent  ;  and  if  you  say,  "  While  I 
am  young  I  will  serve  Satan,  and  not  till  I  am  near  death  will  I 
turn  to  God,"  do  you  think  God  will  give  you  his  holy  spirit  at 
all  ?  Is  not  this  to  quench  the  Spirit?  May  you  not  become 
quite  careless,  and  indisposed  to  repent?  Very  few  are  con- 
verted when  old.  If  you  come  not  to  Jesus  when  young,  it  is 
not  likely  you  will  come  at  all.  Habit  will  fasten  strong  chains 
around  you,  which  will  be  harder  to  burst  asunder  every  day. 
While  you  wait,  Satan  works.  He  is  busy  tying  Jcnots.  You 
are  his  prisoner;  and  he  is  making  the  cords  which  bind  you 
more  and  more  secure.  Wheneveryou  sin  he  ties  another  knot. 
Every  impression  you  smotli3r,  every  hour  you  delay,  adds  a 
fresh  knot.  If  you  do  not  escape  now,  how  can  you  expect  to 
break  loose  when  you  are  weaker,  and  your  fetters  stronger  ? 
Oh  then,  "  remember  now-thy  Creator  in  the*  days  of  thy  youth." 
Come  at  once  to  Jesus,  if  you  wish  tocomeatall. '  He  will  be 
your  guide  amid  the  snares,  your  comfort  amid  the  sorrows; 
your  guardian  amid  the  dangers  of  life.  Lose  not  for  one  day 
the  privilege  of  possessing  such  a  friend.  Say  from  this  mo- 
ment, "  My  Father,  thou  art  the  guide  of  my  youth." 


YE  WHO  ARE  ADVANCING  IN  YEARS,  AND  YE 
WHO  ARE  AGED,  COME. 
With  you  the  morning  of  life  is  over.  You  have  reached  the 
mountain  top,  or  are  travelling  down  the  valley  on  the  other 
side.  You  are  rapidly  drawing  nearer  to  the  tomb.  Perhaps vou 
are  still  busily  occupied  in  the  necessary  labors  oi*  life ;'  or  in- 
clination and  the  love  of  gain  may  involve  you.  in  many  en- 
grossing cares.  But  forget  not  the  "one  thing  needful."  We 
can  do  without  any  thing  else,  even  life  itself;  but  we  cannot 
do  without  Jesus.  The  salvation  of  the  soul  is  the  one  thing 
needful.  You  have  been  busy  for  many  years  in  the  concerns 
of  this  life,  but  as  yet  have  found  no  time  for  religion.  Your 
c7uV/business  is  not  even  begun.  But  what  trifles  are  all  things 
else  in  comparison.  In  a  few  years  it  will  be  of  no  consequence 
whether  we  were  rich  or  poor  ;  but  it  will  be  of  infinite  con- 
sequence whetlier  we  come  to  Jesu9  or  not.  Multitudes  have 
died  around  you.  Neighbors  and  friend*,  many  with  whom* 
you  were  at  school,  or  started  in  life,  are  in  their  graves.  You 
have  been  spared.  But  you  might  have  been  cut  down  as  a 
barren  tree — unprepared.  God's  forbearance  may  be  almost 
spent.  Soon  the  sentence  may  be  pronounced,  "  Cut  it  down  ; 
why  cumbereth  it  the  ground  ?  n  Perhaps  you  are  advanced 
in  years.  My  aged  friend,  how  many  solemn  warnings  bid 
vou  prepare.  Your  wrinkled  features,  whitening  hair,  decay- 
ing strength,  loudly  tell  you  that  the  end  is  near.  You  are 
tottering  on  the  edge  of  the  grave.  The  young  may  live  many 
years,  but  you  cannot.  Soon,  very  soon,  you  must  die.  Oh, 
how  dreadful  to  stand  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  and 
give  an  account  of  a  long  life  spent  in  rejecting  him  ;  of  thous- 
ands of  Sabbaths,  and  sermons  and  privileges  neglected.  O 
then  come  to  Jesus  now.  Lose  not  a  moment.  You  have 
not  one  to  spare.  You  have  indeed  hardened  your  heart,  and 
made  repentance  more  difficult  by  neglecting  religion  so  long  ; 
but  if  you  earnestly  implore  the  help  of  God's  Holy  Spirit,  he 
will  grant  your  petition  even  now.  It  is  not  too  late.  Though 
you  have  so  long  refused  to  listen  to  him,  Jesus  has  not  ceas- 
ed to  speak  to  you.  Stiil  he  says,  "  Come  unto  me."  He 
loves  you  still.  He  is  waiting  to  save  you  still.  Oh,  trifle 
with  him  no  longer.  Look  back.  Death  comes  striding  after 
you  with  rapid  steps ;  he  is  very  near.  Judgment  is  close  be- 
hind, and  hell  follows.  They  are  on  the  point  of  seizing  you. 
Flee  this  moment  to  Christ.   Come  to  Jesus.  He  alone  can  save. 


26 

BACKSLIDER,  COME. 

Yours  is  a  peculiar  case ;  for  you  have  already  cume  to  Jesus, 
but  have  wandered  from  him.  You  have  been  near,  but  now 
you  are  afar  off.  Your  sin  is  very  great,  You  have  experien- 
ced something  of  the  love  of  Christ,  yet  have  forsaken  him. — 
You  have  enjoyed  clearer  light  and  greater  advantages  than 
those  who  have  never  known  what  religion  is.  You  have  been 
admitted  within  the  fold,  and  tasted  tlie  sweet  pasture  with 
which  the  good  Shepherd  feeds  his  flock,  yet  you  have  strayed 
from  the  sacred  enclosure.  Your  declension  began  perhaps  in 
secret,  by  restraining  prayer,  and  neglecting  God's  word.  Or 
you  yielded  to  some  temptation,  but  did  not  go  to  Christ  for 
pardon,  and  so  you  became  gradually  careless.  You  may  still 
maintain  an  oulward  profession  of  piety,  but  your  heart  is  not 
right  in  the  sight  of  God.  Perhaps  you  have  plunged  into 
worldly  dissipations,  and  are  an  example  of  the  saying,  "  If  any 
man  love  the  world,  tfie  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him." — 
Perhaps  even  wrorse,  you  have  fallen  into  open  sin,  and  brought 
public  disgrace  on  the  name  of  Christian.  You  have  lost  all 
those  opportunities  of  doing  good  which,  had  you.  not  been  a 
backslider,  you  would  have  improved.  Thus  you  have  robbed 
God.  You  h  ave  discouraged  other  professors  by  your  coldness 
and  inconsistency,  and  been  a  hindrance  to  many  who  were  en- 
quiring, "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?"  Instead  ot  being  a 
blessing  to  others,  you  have  been  a  curse.  And,  what  is  more, 
you  have  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit,  have  crucified  the  Son  of  God 
afresh,  and  put  him  to  an  open  shame.  Yet  Jesus,  the  kind 
Shepherd  whose  fold  you  have  left,  is  willing  to  welcome  you 
back.  He  seeks  the  sheep  that  has  gone  astray.  He  says,  "  O 
Israel,  return  unto  the  Lord  thy  God.  Say  unto  him,  Takeaway 
all  iniquity,  and  receive  us  graciously.  I  will  heal  their  back- 
slidings',  I  will  love  them  freely ;  for  mine  anger  is  turned  away. 
Return,  ye  backsliding  children,  and  I  will  heal  your  backslid- 
ing, for  I  am  merciful.  Only  acknowledge  thine  iniquity,  that 
thou  hast  transgressed  against  the  Lord  thy  God.  Turn,  0 
backsliding  children,  saith  the  Lord." 

Consider  these  kind  words.  Ponden  well  the  parable  of  the 
prodigal  son.  What  greater  encouragement  do  you  need  ? — 
Though  you  have  wandered  from  Jesus;  you  may  come  to  him 
again.  He  is  as  willing  to  receive  you  as  at  first.  Stop,  then, 
in  your  backward  career.  Return  unto  the  Lord;  for  "  whv' 
will  ye  die?" 


DESPAIRING  SINNER,  COME. 
PERHAPS  you  say,  "  The  mercy  of  God  is  for  others,  uot  for 
rue.     I  have  been  too  vile.     1  have  abused  the  greatest  privile- 
ges, and  stifled  thestrongeet  convictions.    I  have  fought  against 
God,  and  committed  crimes  I  shudder  to  think  of.     There  can 
be  no  pardon  for  me."     Listen,  sinner;   God  says,  "Though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow."     "  As  I 
live,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  he 
turn  and  live.     Turn  ye,  turn  ye  ;  for  why  will  ye  die?"   List- 
en, siuner :  "  The  blood  #t  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin."    All  sin,  and  therefore  yours.    Listen :    He  is  able  to  save 
to  the  uttermost  all  who  come  unto  God  by  him,  "  'and  there- 
fore you.     Listen :  "  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sihners,  of  whom  I  am  chief."     He  eaves  the  chief  of  sinners, 
and  therefore  can  save  you.     David  who  had  committed  mur- 
der— Peter,  who  had  denied  him — the  thief  on  the   cross — 
thousands  who  cried,  "  Crucify  him" — Paul  the  persecutor- 
were  all  saved.     Aud  He  who  saved  them  is  able  to  saveyou. — 
Do  you  fear  you  have  committed  the  unpardonable  sin  ?     Your 
anxiety  is  a  sure  proof  you  have  not  committed  it.     Whatever 
that  sin  is,  it  is  certain  that  if  any  one  were  to  commit  it,  he 
would  never  feel  any  true  penitence  for  it.     For  the  Bible  in 
every  page  tells  us,  that  all  who  repent  shall  be  forgiven,  that 
all  who  seek  mercy  shall  find  it;  and  Jesus  says,  "  Him  that 
cometb  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out,  "  that  is,  on  no  ac- 
count whatever.     So.that  we  may  be  quite  sure  that  no  penitent 
sinner  who  comes  to  Jesus  for  pardon,  has  committed  sins 
.which  cannot  be  forgiven.     God  is  bound  by  his  promise  and 
oath  to  "abundantly  pardon  "   every  sinner  who  comes   to 
•  Jesus  for  salvation:  but  still  you  may  say,  "  I  am  a  lost  sinner." 
A  brother  of  the  celebrated "Whitefield  was  at  tea  with  Lady 
Huntingdon, -who  endeavored  to  cheer  his  despairing  soul  by 
speaking  of  the  infinite  mercy  of  Christ.     "  My   lady, "   he 
said,  "  it  is  true;  I  see  it  clearly:  but  there  is  no  mercy  for 
me ;  I  am  a  ^wretch  entirely  lost."     "  I  am  glad  to  hear  it,  glad 
at'my  heart  that  you  are  a  lost  man, "  was  her  reply.     *  What, 
mv  lady ;  glad  that  I  am  a  lost  man?  "    "  Yes,  Mr.   White- 
field,  truly  glad,  for  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save 
the  lost."    That  word  cheered  his  soul.     He  believed  In 
Jesus,  and  soon  after  died  in  peace.    Sinner,  rejoice  ;  Jeaua 
came  to  save  the  lost — to  save  thee. 


28  ' 

CARELESS  SINNER,  COME. 
What,  a  rebel  against  God— hastening  to  wards  death— doom- 
ed to  hell — yet  careless  ?  Reader,  are  you  one  of  those  who  are 
so  busy  with  the  trifles  of  this  world  as  to  pay  no  attention- to 
the  eternal  realities  of  the  next  ?  Listen  to  the  startling  ques- 
tion of  Jesus.  Ponder  it.  "  What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  loose  his  own  soul?"  Suppose, 
you  saw  a  crowd  walking  along  a  meadow,  at  the  end  of  which 
was  a  terrific  precipice.  They  pass  on  merrily,  plucking 
flowers,  till,  as  they  reach  the  edge,  one  after  anotner  falls 
over,  and  is  dashed  to  pieces.  Would  you  not  call  to  them, 
"Stop,  stop!  as  you  value  your  lives,  turn  back?"  You  are 
strolling  onwards  to  a  far  more  terrible  fate.  Yawning  be- 
neath you  is  the  lake  of  fire  and. do  you  still  go  forward?  'Je- 
sus calls  to  you,  "  Turn  ye,  turn  ye  ;  why  will  ye  die  V  But 
you  see  not  the  danger.  You  feel  happy,  and  hope  it  will  be 
all  right  with  you  hereafter.  Have  you  never  seen  how  smooth 
the  stream  is  just  before  it  leaps  down  the  cataract  ?  Such  is 
your  peace,  soon  to  be  broken  by  a  fatal  plunge  into  endless 
woe.  Many  poisons  are  pleasant  to  the  taste,  and  soothe  those 
who  drink  into  sweet  slumbers ;  but  from  these  slumbers  they 
never  awake.  You  are  quaffing  Satan's  cup  of  death.  What 
you  think  pleasant  drink  is  deadly  poison  ;  and  your  uncon- 
cern about  religion  is  the  sign  how  dreadfully  it  is  operating 
on  your  soul.  Beware,  lest  you  wake  up  in  the  flames  of  hell. 
Before  it  is  too  late,  shake  off  this  lethargy.  Your  house  is  on 
fire  ;  the  roof  will  soon  fall  in  and  crush  you.  But  you  sit  at 
ease,  amused  with  trifles,  and  neglecting  every  warning.-.— 
Many  cry,  "  Fire,  fire — fly  for  your  life  ;"  but  you  pay  no  at- 
tention to  the  alarm.  Jesus  offers  himself  as  a  refuge,  but  in 
vain.  Yet,  though  you  regard  it  not,  you  are  in  danger.  In 
danger  you  draw  every  breath.  Danger  is  your  travelling 
companion  when  you  journey,  and  danger  haunts  your  home. 
Danger  hovers  over  you  during  the  bustle  of  day,  and  danger 
peeps  between  your  Curtains  amid  the  silence  of  night.  You 
may  be  prosperous,  beloved,  flattered,  and  thoughtless  ;*  but 
you  are  in  danger.  You  may  drown  reflection  in  business,  or 
by  plunging  deeper  aud  deeper  into  worldly  dissipation  and 
sin  ;  but- you  are  in  danger — danger  of  wrath,  death,  hell. 
Oh  flee  to  Jesus.  There  only  we  ar*  safe.  Escape  ^y  the 
door  of  salvation,  while  it  is  yet  open  ;  for  it  will  soon  be  shut 
and  then  you  will  knock  in  vain.  « 


29 

COME  NOW:   IT  MAY  BE  HARDER  WORK  TO-MORROW. 
Perhaps  you  think  it  will  be  as  easy  to  repent  at  any  future 
time  as  to-day.  This  is  a  most  dangerous  delusion.  Impresions 
of  all  kinds  wear  away  by  repetition,  unless  they  are  made  per- 
manent by  being  acted  upon.     If  you  ever  lived  near  a  noisy 
mill,  a  roaring  river,  or  the  sea,  you  have  found  that  the  sound, 
which  at  first  disturbed  you,  was  afterwards  scarcely  noticed. 
Just  so  the  truths  of  religion  may  deeply  impress  the  mind  ;  but 
if  those  impressions  are  not  cherished,  by  acting  in  accordance 
with  them,  those  truths  will  affect  the  mind  less  and  less,  till 
they  are  heard  with  total  indifference.     Jesus  says,  'Behold,  I 
stand  at  the  door  and  knock.'     He  knocks  by  sermons,  books, 
conversations,  conscience,  solemn  warnings.  The  sound  startles 
you  ;  but  if  you  do  not  rise  and  open  the  door,  it  will  startle  you 
less  to-morrow,  till  at  length  yeu  will  not  hear  it  at  all.     How 
many  who  once  felt  deeply  about  religion,  now  feel   nothing, 
and  are  quickly  and  quietly  travelling  down  to  hell.     On  the 
narrow  ledges  of  the  steep  cliffs  of  the  Yorkshire  coast  multi- 
tudes of  sea-fowl  lay  their  eggs,  by  gathering  which  some  per- 
sons obtain  a  perilous  livelihood.     It  once  happened  that  a 
man,  having  fixed  in  the  ground  his  iron  bar,  and  having  low- 
ered himself  down  by  the  rope  which  was  fastened  to  it,  found 
that,  in  consequence  of  the  edge  of  the  cliff"  bending  over  the 
part  below,  he  could  not  reach  the  narrow  ledge  where  the  eggs 
were  deposited,  without  swinging  himself  backwards  and    far- 
wards.     By  this  means'  he  at  last  placed  his  foot  on  the  rock, 
but  in  so  doing  lost  his  hold  of  the  rope.     His   situation  was 
most  dreadful.     The  see  roared  hundreds  of  feet  below.     It  was 
impossible  to  climb  either  up  or  down.     He  must  soon  perish 
from  want,  or  fall  and  be  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  rocks.     The 
rope  was  his  only  way  of  escape.     It  was  still  swinging  to  and 
fro;  but,  when  it  settled,  it  would  be  out  of  reach.  Every  time 
it  approached  him  it  was  farther  off  than  before.     Every  mo- 
ment he  waited  his  danger  increased.    He  made  up  his  mind. 
The  next  time  the  rope  swung  towards  him  he  sprang  forward, 
seized  it,  and  reached  the  top  in  safety.  .  Sinner,  your  salvation 
is  farther  off  every  moment  you  wait.     Hell  is  below.     Death 
will  soon  cast  you  down.     But  Jesus  is  near  to  save  you.    He 
invites  you  to  lay  hold  on  him.     It  is  your  only  hop-i.     Grasp 
him  by  faith.     You  cannot  miss  your  hold,     tie  will  hold  you, 
and  draw  you  up  to  heaven.     But  the  difficulty  and   danger 
are  greater  every  moment  you  delay.     Come  to  Jesus  w>m  - 


•  ■      30 

COME  NOW;  TO-MORROW  MAY  BE  TOO  LATE. 

You  have  perhaps  decided  to  come  to  Jesus,  but  notjustnow. 
Like  Felix,  you  say ,  "Go  thy  way  for  this  time  ;  when  I  have 
a  convenient  season,'  I  will  call  for  thee."  Satan  knows  that 
if  you  put  religion  off,  he  is  likely  to  keep  you  captive  for  ever. 
God 'says,  "  To-day  if  you  will  hear  my  voice,  harden  not  your 
hearts :  behold  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.''  Satan  whispers, 
"  Not  to-day,  but  to-morrow."  He  promises  you  shall  give  to 
God  all  your  future  day  if  only  he  can  secure  for  himself  the 
present.  Oh,  beware  of  to-morrow  Souls  are  generally  lost,  - 
not  because  they  resolve  never  to  repent,  but  because  they  de- 
fer it  till  some  future  time,  and  still  defer  it  till  it  is  too  late. 
To-morrows  have  crowded  hell.  Perhaps  you  think  you  will 
wait  till  disease  assails  you.     Bat  a  sick  bed  is  the  very  worst 

f>lace  for  repenting.  Your  n\ind  may  be  so  distracted  by  de- 
irium,  fever,  or  pain,  or  may  so  share  in  the  weakness  of  the 
body,  as  to  be  unable  to  think.  The  peace  in  which  multi- 
tudes seem  to  die  is  only  the  apathy  of  disease.  Many  who 
when  ill  have  professed  to  repent,  on  recovery  have  become 
more  careless  tnan  before.  It  was  not  true  conversion  ;  and 
had  they  died,. they  would  have  been  lost.  There  is  little  hope 
of  salvation  in  sickness.  But  such  a  season  may  never  come. 
You  may  die  without  a  moment's  warning.  Though  in  health 
to-day,  you  may  be,  dead  to-morrow.  And  are  you  ready, 
when  life  is  so  uncertain,  putting  off  salvation?  A  prisoner 
is  under  sentence  of  death.  He  knows  not  the  fatal  hour,  but 
is  told,  that  if  before  it  strikes  he  petitions  the  governor,  his 
life  may  be  spared.  He  says,  "I  send  to-morrow."  And  when 
to-morrow  comes,  says  again,  V  Oh,  there's  time  enough  yet; 
I'll  wait  a  little  longer."  Suddenly  his  door  opens,  and — be- 
hold the  sheriff  and  the  executioner  !  "  Oh,  wait,  and  I'll 
write  the  petition."  "  No,"  they  say,  "  the  clock  has  struck 
— it'a  too  late— you  must  die."  Poor  sinner,  you  are  con- 
demned. You  know  not  when  you  may  die.  It  may  be  this 
very  day.  You  put  off  repentance  till  to-morrow ;  but  to-mor- 
row you  may  be  in  hell.  Christ  knocks  to-day ;  but,  remem- 
ber, death  may  knock  to-morrow.  Though  you  keep  your 
best  Friend  outside,  death  will  burst  in,  and  hurry  you  away 
to  the  Judge.  Come  to  Je3us  to-day.  !  He  is  willing  to  save 
to-day.  Heaven's  gate  is  open  to-day,  Tomorrow  may  be  too 
late. 


•  31 

YOU  MUST  PERISH,  IF  YOU  DO  NOT  COME. 
1  Whht  must  I  do  to  be  saved'!"  '  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.'  '  What  must  I  do  to  be  lost?'  •  Neglect  so  great  sal- 
vation.7 It  is  not  necessary  to  do  anything.  We  are  lost  al- 
ready. jTesus  offers  to  save  us  ;  but  if  we  reject  his  offer,  we 
remain  as  we  were.  If  a  man  were  bitten  by  a  deadly  serpent, 
but  refuses  to  apply  the  only  remedy,  he  must  die.  The  goR- 
pel  is  the  only  cure  for  the  soul ;  and  if  we  neglect  it,  sin  kills 
us.  You  need  not  be  a  thief  or  a  murderer  to  lose  your  soul. 
You  may  conform  to  all  the  outward  ordinances  of  religiou, 
but  if  you  come  not  to  Jesus  you  are  lost.  Consider  the  solemn 
words,  '  How  shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salva- 
tion?' Escape  is  impossible  if  we  neglect  the  only  means  of 
safety.  A  boat  is  drawn  by  the  current  of  a  river  near  to  the 
foaming  cataract,  where  it  must  perish  ;  but  there  is  one  soli- 
tary projecting  rock  near  whicji  it  passes,  where  some  men  are 
waiting  with  a  rope.  Suppose  the  crew  neglect  to  catch  it — how 
can  they  escape  ?  Neglect  is  their  ruin.  Jesus  alone  can  save 
the  soul.  "  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other;  for  there 
is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we 
must  be  saved."  Oh  sinner,  your  damnation  is  sure,  if  you  re- 
ject Jesus.  And  how  great  will  be  your  guilt  and  punishment! 
'There  remaineth  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  fear- 
ful looking  for  of  judgment  and  fiery  indignation,  which  shall 
devour  the  adversaries,  He  that  despised  Moses'  law  died 
without  mercy ;  of  how  much  sorer  punishment  shall  he  be 
thought  worthy  who  nath  trodden  under  foot  the  Son  of  God, 
and  hath  done  despite  unto  the  Spirit  of  grace  ?'  "jVhat  delu- 
sion has  seized  thee  ?  Dost  thou  think  God  will  not  execute 
his  threatenings,  that  thou  wilt  escape  his  piercing  eye,  or  that 
the  rocks  will  cover  thee?  Vain  hopes.  There  is  no  escape  but 
by  coming  to  Jesus,  and  simple  neglect  is. certain  perdition. — 
1  JBecause  I  called,  but  you  refused,  I  also  will  laugh  at  your  ca- 
lamity, I  will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh.  Then  shall  they 
call,  but  I  will  not  answer;  they  shall  seek  me,  but  shall  not 
find  me*;  for  they  did  not  choose  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  des- 
pised all  my  reproof  0  sinner,  escape  this  awful  threatening. 
Jesus  now  stands  with  open  arms.  He  entreats  you  to  come 
and  be  saved.  Refuse  his  grace  no  longer.  Come  with  all  your 
sins  and  sorrows — come  just  as  you  are — come  at  once.  He  will 
in  no  wise  cast  you  out.    Come  to  Jesus.    Come  to  Jesus. 


I  WILL  GOME  TO  JESUS. 


Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  thou  bidst  me  come  to  thee, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! 

Just  as  I  am,  and  waiting  not 
To  rid  my  soul  of  one  dark  blot — 
To  thee  whose  blood  can  cleanse  each  spot 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  !     * 

Just  as  I  am — poor,  wretched,  blind — 
Sight,  riches,  healing  of  the  mind, 
Yea,  all  I  need,  in  thee  to  find, 

0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  ! 

Just  as  I  am — though  tossed  about 
With  many  a  conflict,  many  a  doubt, 
Fightings  within  and  /cars  without, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come ! 

Just  as  I  am,  thou  wilt  receive, 

Wilt  welcome,  pardon.,  cleanse,  relieve, 

Because  thy  promise  I  believe.: 

O  Lamb  of  «God,  I  come! 

Just  as  I  am  :  thy  Ipv  e  unknown 
Has  broken  every  bar  rier  down  ; 
Now  to  be  thine,  yea,   thine  alone, 
0  Lamb  of  (  tod,  I  come ! 


C^i 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


